Stack forming and handling machine

ABSTRACT

In combination, a stacker for fold sheets and a bundling press, the bundling press being arranged alongside the stacker, and means for pushing a stack formed by the stacker into the bundling press.

ilniied States Patent 1191 Bottcher 1451 May 29, T1973 [5 STACK FORMING AND HANDLING [56] References Cited MACHINE UNITED STATES PATENTS [75] Inventor: Rolf Boflcher, Markleeberg-ost, 3,390,508 7/1968 Heimlicher ..100/7 Germany 3,557,688 1/1971 Hartbauer ....l00/3 2,933,314 4/1960 Stobb ....l00/3 [73] Assignee: VEB Polygraph Leipzig Kombinat 1g; S gg to 2" 3,114,308 12/1963 Saxton et 31.... ....100 x 'usl'usmngen' many 1,522,194 1 1925 Labombarde ..100/7 x [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1971 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite 1 1 pp 113,467 Attorney-Nolte and Nolte 5 A TRA T [52] US. Cl. ..100/7, 100/215, 100/244 7] BS C 51 1m. (:1. ..B65b 13/00 In combination, a Stacker for fold Sheets and a [58] Field of Search l U 100/3 7 244 215 dling press, the bundling press being arranged alongside the stacker, and means for pushing a stack formed by the stacker into the bundling press.

10 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENH-jg m2 9197s sum 3 UF 4 N ww m 6 m 0 m 2 FIG. 9

FIG.

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ATTORNEYS PATENTEI N29 I975 SHEET 0F 4 INVENTOR ROLF B5TTCHER 7% ATTORNEYS IIH L STAQK FORMING AND HANDLING MACHINE The invention relates to a stack forming machine for fold sheets comprising a stacker and a bundling press.

Stack forming machines for fold sheets are known, for example in sheet collating machines or in folding machines, which have a stacker and a bundling press arranged to receive the stack from the stacker. The stacker usually has a stacking rake, which is inserted between the various fold sheet stacks to be formed. At the end of the stacker there is provided an abutment member against which the far end of the stack abuts and which is pivotable to a position out of engagement with the stack. The operations necessary for the functioning of these stack forming machines must be carried out manually. Thus, for example, it is necessary by hand to pivot the stack abutment member out of engagement with the stack, to insert the stack into the bundling press, to pivot the stack abutment back for the next fold sheet stack to be formed, and to return the stacking rake to the starting position. All these manipulations tie up one worker, complicate the operation of such a unit, and limit the output. Difficulties also arise in adjusting the bundle length as a function of the weight of the sheets, as influenced mostly by the size of the sheets, to be processed. Such a variation of the bundle length is necessary so as to be able to keep the bundle weight within the limits of the weight acceptable for transportation whether the bundle is constituted of small sheets or large sheets.

Moreover, with such a unit it is not possible during the sheet stacking to prepare the bundling press for the bundling of the sheet stacks, i.e., to put in the cardboards and the bundling rope required for bundling. This is due to the fact that the space between the stacker and the bundling press must be free in order to permit insertion of the sheet stack into the bundling press. These tasks, therefore, can be carried out only after the insertion of the sheet stacks into the press. This requires a high level of activity by the operators.

Moreover, the prior art stack forming machines are relatively long in their structural dimensions. The reason for this is, in particular, that the stacker and the bundling press are arranged end to end. In some stack forming machines, moreover, a precollecting of the fold sheets into groups is required, which further lengthens the unit.

An object of the invention is to simplify the operation of stack forming machines for fold sheets, to increase the output, and to save space in the shops.

Another object of the invention is to modify a stack forming machine constituted of a stacker and a bundling press in such a way that for its operation only few manipulations are necessary, preparation of the bundling press, during the stacking, for the bundling is possible, and relatively little space is required, especially in the direction of the length of the unit.

According to the invention, the bundling press isarranged laterally of the stacker and the stacker is equipped with a stack pusher operative crosswise to the stack direction. The stacker is preferably provided with a stacking rake and a yieldably mounted counterholder holding the stack. On reaching the counterholder, the stacking rake is displaceable by conveying means first out of alignment with the stack and then to a position for the starting of a new stack. The stacking rake may be inserted into alignment with the length of the stack but outside the stack and outside the fold sheet feed,

and may be applied against the stack after the last fold sheet belonging to the stack has been supplied and before the next fold sheet is supplied. The stacking rake may be provided with means operative to advance the rake ahead of the stack forming behind the rake. The stacking rake and the counterholder may be provided with opener means for relief of the pressure on the outer fold sheets before the lateral displacement of the stack. Means may be provided for actuation of the drive of the stack pusher by the stack ready for pushing out from the stacker. The bundling press may be pivotable in order to permit orientation of the counter thereof to a V-shaped channel position. Preferably, means are provided in order that the pivotal movement of the bundling press be controllable by operations relative to introduction of the stack thereinto. Further, it is possible to provide the stacker and/or the bundling press with a shaker.

By this invention an almost fully automatic stack forming machine is provided. Precollecting of the fold sheets is not necessary. Due to this and to the lateral arrangement of the bundling press, a short structural length is possible. Also, preparation for bundling is possible during the stacking and adjustment of the bundle length according to the bundle weight is very easy.

The invention will now be further described by reference to specific embodiments thereof as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to S are schematic side elevations of the stacker at various stages of operation;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the stacker;

FIG. 7 is a view showing the stacker and the bundling press along lines 77 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the stacker (omitting elements at left of line 77 in FIG. 6) and of the bundling press;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary schematic side elevation of the stacker with a modified stacking rake inserted in alignment with the stack but not in operating position;

FIG. 10 corresponds to FIG. 9 but with the stacking rake in operating position;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a stacker and a modified bundling press, the latter being pivotable to both sides;

FIG. 12 is a schematic front elevation corresponding to FIG. 11 and showing the press in its various positions;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the stacker in a moved position relative to FIG. 6;

FIG. 14 is a detail of the stacker in front elevation and partly in section when in the FIG. 3 position;

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 7 but mainly schematically illustrating a control system; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are partial schematic side elevations of alternative embodiments of the stacker.

By means of a conveyor 1 provided with a counter 2, fold sheets are supplied in front of a stacker 3 which can be stationary (FIG. 6). After a certain count has been reached, a stacking rake 4 is inserted from below. This is facilitated by a controlled deflector 5, which retains the next fold sheets supplied. The stack 13 lying in front of the stacking rake 4 is delivered as will be described hereinafter. Behind the stacking rake 4, which moves in a rightward stacking direction a stack 13 forms as new fold sheets are delivered. The stack grows (FIG. 1) until it, through its rake, presses against a spring biased counterholder 6, the slide bearing 7 of which is adjustable (FIG. 2) according to the stack length of the desired fold sheet count. The stacking rake 4 is lowered by pneumatic or hydraulic conveying elements 9 (cylinder, piston, rod) at a slideway (FIG. 6) and returned to the starting position by 'conveying element 8 (FIG. 6), in this case a spring pull. Meantime, the stack 13 grows to its desired count again (FIG. 3) and the stacking rake 4 is again inserted upwardly through the fold sheets and moved with the stack 13. To the left of the stacking rake 4 a new stack 13' forms. The displacement of stack 13 to the right continues and is absorbed by the spring biasing of the counterholder 6 (FIGS. 4 and 5). At its underside the stacking rake 4 has a friction surface 11, whereby upon reaching a continuously rotating roll 12, the stacking rake 4 is transported into the position shown in FIG. 5 independently of the stack increase. Now stack 13 fills a stack area A of an exactly fixed length, since the counterholder 6 presses against a stop 23 (FIG. 5). This is possible because of the elasticity of stack 13.

Subsequently there occurs a renewed relief of stack 13 by yielding of the rake 4 and of the counterholder 6. This is effected by opener elements 24, 25 (FIG. 6). For this purpose the roll 12 may be additionally provided with a coupling or clutch.

More specifically as to the operation of the opener 25, when the counterholder 6 has reached the stop 23, end plate 6 of counterholder rod 6" has moved in front of click 25' of the opener 25 (FIG. 13). Yielding of the counterholder 6 for relief of the stack 13 is then effected by actuation of rod 25" of the opener 25 to the right, the stop 23 simultaneously being permitted to yield to the right.

More specifically as to the operation of the opener 24, articulated rod 24a of the opener 24 is actuated to the left, whereupon click 24' of the opener 24 is guided by cam surface 23" into engagement with follower 11 (FIG 13). Further movement of the rod 24a to the left causes the rake 4 to yield to the left for relief of the stack 13. This is against the driving direction of the roll 12. In order to eliminate the counter driving effect of the roll 12 upon the friction surface 11, the roll 12 may be provided with a clutch 12' (schematically illustrated in FIG. 14), by means of which the connection of driven shaft 12" with the roll 12 is interrupted approximately simultaneously with the actuation of the rake 4 to the left by the opener 24.

Now stack 13 is pushed by a stack pusher 14, actuated hydraulically or pneumatically, from area A transversely into a bundling press 15, one counter square 16 (FIGS. 7, 8) of which is adjustable by screw and nut mechanism 16' to adjust the distance of countersquare 16 to an opposite countersquare 16" as required by the stack length. The stacker is then in the same operating stage as illustrated in FIG. 1. The bundling press is pivotably mounted on bearings 17 (FIG. 7). The pivoting may occur manually or by means of a device 18 (hydraulically or pneumatically actuated cylinder-pistonrod). In the pivoted position (shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 7), stack 13 is pressed and tied, for which pneumatic or hydraulic means 19 are provided (FIG. 8) to i tioned means to put in the cardboards and the bundling I rope required for bundling. These are not part of the present invention and are only indicated as including rope cutter R (FIG. 8). Switches serve to automate the operation. Thus the signals for the actuation of the deflector 5 and for the lifting of the stacking rake 4 are given by the counter 2 (FIG. 6). Switching on of the movement of the stack pusher 14, the pivoting of the bundling press 15, and the pressing process is effected by a switch 20 (FIG. 6), when switch 20 is engaged by the friction area 11. The lowering of rake 4 is initiated by a switch 21 (FIG. 6), when switch 21 is engaged by the friction area 11. Switches 22, 22' serve to lock the movement of the stack pusher 14 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

More specifically as to the switches 22, 22', these are connected in series with the switch 20 in a circuit through which current is fed to an electrically actuated valve 14' which controls the hydraulic or pneumatic system 14' which motivates the pusher 14 (FIG. 15). The current for this operation is interrupted by opening of a switch 22, 22' if the bundling press 15 is not fully opened in the direction of its lateral limit or in the vertical direction or if the counterholder 6 has not been withdrawn from the path of the pusher 14. In this way, the switches 22, 22' lock the pusher 24 until the path for the stack 13 is entirely free.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another advantageous possibility for bringing the stacking rake 4 into the operating position. Here the stacking rake 4 is inserted from below into alignment with the length of the stack but outside the stack and outside the fold sheet feed, that is, to the left of the sheet stack 13 to be formed (FIG. 9). Hence the stacking rake 4 does not touch any fold sheets at this point. As soon as the last fold sheet 28 belonging to the stack has been supplied (FIG. 10), the stacking rake 4 is shifted to the right by a solenoid 26 and applied against the stack. A return lock 27 (FIG. 9) prevents the sliding back of the stacking rake 4 during the return stroke of the solenoid 26. The subsequently entering fold sheet 29 (FIG. 10) is positioned at the left side of the stacking rake 4 and forms the first fold sheet 29 of a new stack 13 (FIGS. 5 and 10). By this sequence of movements of the stacking rake 4, during its upward movement the stacking rake 4 cannot push any fold sheets upward out of the stack 13, 13'.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another construction 15P, 15? for pivoting and tilting of the bundling press 15. Here the tilting movement of this press can be to the left 15L as well as the right 15R. It is thereby possible to align stacks 13 in the bundling press 15, the striking edge of which is located on the left side sL, or on the right side 5R of the stack.

An electromagnetic type shaker 30 (schematically illustrated in FIG. 16) or a cam type shaker 31 (schematically illustrated in FIG. 17) may be provided below stack support 32 of the stacker 3. A shaker may similarly be provided for the bundling press 15.

While the invention has been described by reference to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that such description is by way of illustration and is not intended as a limitation upon the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a stacker for engaging fold sheets to shift them, in a stacking direction, into a stack area and thereby to form a stack of them in said area; a press for bundling the stack, the press being arranged alongside the stack area; means for disengaging the stack in that area; and means for pushing the disengaged stack from said area, across said direction, into the press.

2. A combination according to claim 1, in which the stacker includes means for feeding fold sheets to one end of said area; stacking rake means for engaging the stack and pushing it in a direction from said one end toward the other end of said area; and at the other end of said area a resiliently mounted abutment against which the other end of the stack is pushed.

3. A combination according to claim 2, further comprising conveying means for moving the rake means out of engagement with the stack' and returning the rake means to said one end and back into engagement with the stack after the rake means has reached the abutment.

4. A combination according to claim 3, in which said conveying means includes means for moving the rake means to a position at said one end of the stack but behind the feeding means and further comprising means for moving the rake means from near the feeding means in the stacking direction to press on one side against the last sheet of the stack and to receive on the other side the first sheet of a new stack.

5. A combination according to claim 4, further comprising means for temporarily moving the rake means in the stacking direction at a rate higher than the rate of stack formation.

6. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the disengaging means comprises means for relieving the pressure of the rake means and the abutment on the stack just prior to actuation of the pusher to push the stack into the press.

7. A combination according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing conditions of the stack to actuate the pusher to push the stack into the press when the stack is in a condition suitable for this purpose.

8. A combination according to claim 1, in which the press includes a bottom, an end wall and two countersquares for receiving a stack on the bottom, against the end wall, between the countersquares, each countersquare being at approximately right angles to the bottom and the end wall, the press being reversibly pivotable between a first position in which said bottom is horizontal and a second position in which said bottom and end wall are in a V-orientation; said pushing means being movable along said bottom in said first position of the press, parallel to said countersquares; and means for moving one of the countersquares toward the other for compressing the stack in the second position.

9. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for actuating pivoting movement of the press at a predetermined stage when the stack is to be received in the press.

10. A combination according to claim 1, in which the stacker is provided with shaker means. 

1. In combination: a stacker for engaging fold sheets to shift them, in a stacking direction, into a stack area and thereby to form a stack of them in said area; a press for bundling the stack, the press being arranged alongside the stack area; means for disengaging the stack in that area; and means for pushing the disengaged stack from said area, across said direction, into the press.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, in which the stacker includes means for feeding fold sheets to one end of said area; stacking rake means for engaging the stack and pushing it in a direction from said one end toward the other end of said area; , and at the other end of said area a resiliently mounted abutment against which the other end of the stack is pushed.
 3. A combination according to claim 2, further comprising conveying means for moving the rake means out of engagement with the stack and returning the rake means to said one end and back into engagement with the stack after the rake means has reached the abutment.
 4. A combination according to claim 3, in which said conveying means includes means for moving the rake means to a position at said one end of the stack but behind the feeding means and further comprising means for moving the rake means from near the feeding means in the stacking direction to press on one side against the last sheet of the stack and to receive on the other side the first sheet of a new stack.
 5. A combination according to claim 4, further comprising means for temporarily moving the rake means in the stacking direction at a rate higher than the rate of stack formation.
 6. A combination according to claim 2, wherein the disengaging means comprises means for relieving the pressure of the rake means and the abutment on the stack just prior to actuation of the pusher to push the stack into the press.
 7. A combination according to claim 1, further comprising means for sensing conditions of the stack to actuate the pusher to push the stack into the press when the stack is in a condition suitable for this purpose.
 8. A combination according to claim 1, in which the press includes a bottom, an end wall and two countersquares for receiving a stack on the bottom, against the end wall, between the countersquares, each countersquare being at approximately right angles to the bottom and the end wall, the press being reversibly pivotable between a first position in which said bottom is horizontal and a second position in which said bottom and end wall are in a V-orientation; said pushing means being movable along said bottom in said first position of the press, parallel to said countersquares; and means for moving one of the countersquares toward the other for compressing the stack in the second position.
 9. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for actuating pivoting movement of the press at a predetermined stage when the stack is to be received in the press.
 10. A combination according to claim 1, in which the stacker is provided with shaker means. 